[Health Column] Is surgery really the answer for herniated cervical and lumbar discs?

 

hello, Director Kim Hyeong-min of Rebom Oriental Medicine Hospital (Daegu Branch) no see.

 

When neck or back pain makes daily life difficult, the first word that comes to mind for many people is ' disk 'no see.

But the disc is not just a 'sore spot' problem, Changes in posture, habits, and alignment that have accumulated over a long period of time result Did you know that?

This time, let's understand the disk from a slightly different perspective, When is surgery necessary? , What to be careful about in life , What management is helpful? I'd like to explain.
Rather than being blindly afraid, try to understand it accurately and deal with it wisely!

 

1. Is a herniated disc really a disease that occurs suddenly?

✅ The disk is not the 'culprit', but rather a structure closer to the 'victim' that is the first to get tired in the collapsed alignment.

 

When a disc bulges, it's easy to think, "The disc caused the problem," but before that, a lot of changes are already happening inside your body.

• turtle neck with the head tilted forward

• hunched sitting posture

• Lifestyle habits that place weight on one side
  
  

  As this situation repeats, pressure is concentrated on a specific area, and eventually the disc that cannot withstand it is pushed out.

   

 

 

✔️ Key points

• Disc protrusion is a 'result'

• The cause is a breakdown in the alignment of the entire body.

• It is important to look at the structure together.

 

2. What postures and habits can worsen disc problems?

✅ Certain movements can push the disc further toward the nerve, making symptoms worse.

 

If you have a disk Behaviors to be especially careful about There is this.

🔸 Deep bending of the waist
🔸 Maintaining a squat position for a long time
🔸 Lifting heavy objects using only your back strength
🔸 Excessive stretching by folding the waist in half

 

⚠️ If your arms and legs feel numb or the pain feels like electric shocks, it is not just pain. It may be a sign of neurological symptoms, so more attention is needed. do. In times like these, rather than overdoing exercise, Rest to maintain alignment and reduce pressure This first are you.

 

 

 

 

✔️ importance point

• Keep your back straight

• Remove unnecessary force

• No excessive exercise

 

 

3. Is walking good exercise even if I have a herniated disc?

✅ Depending on the situation, it can be either ‘helpful’ or ‘burdensome.’

 

Walking is generally a good exercise for your back, but An exception may be made in the acute disc stage.
If the nerve is strongly compressed, walking for a long time will actually increase the pressure and make the pain and radiating pain worse. Because you can do it.

 

 

✔️ Try this

🔹 Short, frequent walks with your back straight
🔹 If you have trouble standing for a long time, lean against the back of a chair.
🔹 If you have to sit for a long time, use a cushion to keep your back aligned.

 

 

 

In the end, what matters is not “how much exercise you do,” “Do it in a way that suits the current situation?” no see.

 

 

4. So… do I really need surgery?

✅ Most discs can be improved sufficiently with care and alignment restoration without surgery.

 

When a herniated disc is seen on an MRI, many people worry and ask, “Do I need surgery now…?” But in reality, There are very limited cases where surgery is absolutely necessary. no see.

 

⚠️ When surgery should be considered

• If your arm/leg muscles become noticeably thinner or lose strength rapidly

• A situation where one's ankle is twisted and one is limping

• Sudden incontinence (emergency)

 

But these cases are only a very small fraction of the total.
Most of them Improvement is possible with just spinal alignment restoration and lifestyle modification. As the alignment is restored, the pressure concentrated on the disc is naturally distributed and the pain also begins to stabilize.

 

✔️ Key Message

• Understanding “why the disc is herniated” rather than whether or not to have surgery

• Changing your environment is key to long-term recovery.

 

FAQ

Q1. Can the disc heal on its own over time?

A1. Some may recover naturally over time, but if the misalignment persists, repeated pressure on the same area may cause it to worsen again. So, along with recovery, Alignment and load flow management are required together. do.

Q2. I have a herniated disc. Should I exercise or not?

A2. It depends on the situation. During the acute phase, maintaining alignment is more important than excessive exercise. After the recovery period, light muscle strengthening and functional recovery exercises can be helpful in stages. The important thing is: Whether the exercise is suitable for my current condition no see.

 

conclusion

The key to disc treatment is ‘alignment’.
Discs aren't something that suddenly appears one day. They're the first structures to wear out over time, thanks to accumulated lifestyle habits and alignment issues. Therefore, rather than focusing solely on the area where pain is present, Examining alignment, load, and movement flow together is the most important factor in solving the fundamental problem.

 

✔️ Key points to remember today

• Only a very small number of cases require surgery.

• Most people can improve sufficiently with alignment restoration and lifestyle correction.

• It's more important to "fix the environment" than to "blame the disk."

Rather than being anxious, check your body condition now and manage it safely with expert advice.
We support healthy movement and a comfortable daily life!

 

 

 

 

Rebom Oriental Medicine Hospital Daegu Branch

CEO Kim Hyung-min

 

Adjunct Professor at Gachon University College of Oriental Medicine

Graduated from Kyung Hee University College of Oriental Medicine

President of the Korean Society of Spinal Orthopedics

Current Affairs Magazine selected as one of Korea's 100 best doctors

Member of the Korean Society of Oriental Medicine

Member of the Korean Society of Oriental Pediatrics

Member of the Korean Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Dermatology

Member of the Korean Society of Oriental Dermatology

Member of the Korean Society of Oriental Medicine

Member of the Korean Society of Immunoassay

Member of the Kyunghee Donghee Society (IKOMS)

Member of the Korean Society of Oriental Dermatology

Member of the Korean Society of Pain Management

 

 

 

See other columns by Director Kim Hyeong-min of Rebom Oriental Medicine Hospital (Daegu Branch) >

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👉 Are you curious about the manual therapy at Rebom Oriental Medicine Hospital that reduces the burden on the cervical disc?
- Daegu branch

- Gangnam branch